Finding out if you're pregnant
If you're trying for a baby, each month there's that "Am I, aren't I?" moment. So, is this the month you find out that you're going to be a mum? We have all you need to know…

Childcare solutions
How do you know which type of care is best for your child? Or do you need to rely on a relative to look after your child when you return to work? Either way, there's plenty of planning to be done.

Meet other mums!
In your Birth Club, you can meet other mums and mums-to-be whose due date, or baby's birth date, is the same as yours. It's the perfect place to share advice, support and friendship with others who know what you're going through, because they are too!

It is half term where we are and I’ve been spending the last few weeks researching the best cheap half term activities that suit my kids’ four different ages – one, three, five and six – and that won’t end up costing me the earth. I would love to take the whole week off and be with them building dens, doing Christmas crafts and having fun cooking. But like many women, I have to work, so it’s important I find good cost-effective childcare involving some fun treats involved.

Most local councils have some great kids’ activities on offer at half term. Some are even free and the rest are much cheaper than the private options. Monti is doing a day’s sports camp for around £15 and Minnie is off to a craft workshop. Go to the website of your local district council and they will have a full list of half term activities. Also check out the Family Information Service for your county.

I always look for Ofsted approved activities so that I can pay with childcare vouchers. It saves a small fortune.

Try and search online for theme park vouchers and save all of your supermarket loyalty points ready for the school holidays, as there are always opportunities to get discounts if you remember to look for them beforehand.

Here are some other things I found out about:

English Heritage has a list of half term days out and fab free museums in the UK.

Tesco is offering free football skills sessions for children aged five to 11 this half term. Simply go to Tesco and check where your local centre is.

Check out your local Vue or Odeon cinema as both offer cheap cinema tickets for as little as £1 at weekends, and many extend this to the half term too. Much better than the ridiculous £10 you often have to pay to see a film. If you are an Orange customer remember that they do two for one on Orange Wednesdays too.

Now I just have to work on my mummy guilt for not being able to go off and play with them today!

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